31 days - the Jesse Tree Tradition

When our son was born 13 years I stumbled onto a tradition that we have done almost every year since his birth - having a Jesse Tree. Neither of us had grown up with it, but searching the internet (on dial-up) all those years back, I found something called The Jesse Tree.

Jesse Tree, a reference from Isaiah 11:1, is a tour through the New Testament Scriptures tracing the family tree and prophecies that all lead up to the birth of Jesus. There are a couple different versions that include different stories and each advent has a different number of days so some years not all the stories are used.

At that time, there were three sites (that's all!) that had information.

• https://www.rca.org/page.aspx?pid=1602
• http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM
• and a geocities site with some electronic christmas music and some sort of sparkling Christmas tree. 

(There are SO many more resources online.)

The first year (or two or three?), we did our Jesse Tree on the refrigerator. I would make a Christmas tree shape out of construction paper, and while Marc or I read the Scripture, the kid (or kids eventually) would color in the 'ornament' and then we would tape it to the refrigerator tree.

When I began looking for something more permanent, all that I could find were patterns for cross-plastic canvas or cross-stitch - which I had no real talent for, no desire to get better at, and no time even if I did want to.

What I did have time and enjoyment for was polymer clay. So, I set about making polymer clay ornaments.

This combination of children, time, and the somewhat fragile constitution, a couple ornaments are broken each year. Getting ready for this tradition include repairing or making new ornaments; and getting all of our devotional and Scripture resources gathered together and organized.

(During November and December, I will be sharing more about our Jesse Tree - including pictures of our polymer clay ornaments.)

31days of Christmas Planning - About Planning

20 days into 31 days and I am amazed that I have gotten this far. The momentum of committing to  have a post for every day of the month (thank GOD for scheduled post) has been an incredible experience.

I wanted to take a bit of a side-trail today to explain what planning means to me. I've had a number of friends say 'you are so organized'.
I want to make sure I have integrity in representing myself in this blog series.

I am organized. My life requires that I be organized - my husband travels a ton and I homeschool three very different kids at three very different levels. I am good at creating and analyzing systems. I have learned this about myself in the last few years. I am good at getting projects started, but not maintaining them long-term.

My follow-through on most things is about average. 

When I read through my posts up to this point, I can see that some work has been done in each instance. Just the writing and thinking about it are work. I'm "analyzing my systems" in a relatively non-stressful atmosphere. In some cases, some good active work has been done (the Christmas card is almost ready to order) and in other cases, I'm still 'just thinking'.

The beauty of a focused time of planning is that it has set my compass. I am making decisions and plans now, in a 'non-hostile' environment, about what I want our Holiday Season to include and encompass.

31 days meets #fiveminutefriday: LOOK

As I began participating in the 31days blog challenge with thenester (and good friendsElisa and Spring), I had already told a group of women that I would commit to four FiveMinuteFridays - just to try the whole 'link up' thing. I decided that it would be a fun challenge (and maybe a disaster that I could laugh about) do this along with the 31 day blog challenge. 

The question is What kind of word will Lisa-Jo Baker come up with and how will it work for my topic.... I have no control over that. And the thought of making it work kind of gives me a thrill.

#fiveminutefriday meet 31days of Christmas preparation. The word this week:  

LOOK

How many things have I missed because I was hurrying to get things done - especially during the holiday season? How many eyes full of discovery and hearts full of wonder have I not seen? How many beautiful, humble displays have I overlooked as I sought the SHINIEST, BRIGHTEST, EASIEST?

I can't think of a better code word for Christmas planning. Like a super-power cue to stop, sit, and BE. 

LOOK at the child staring in wonder at the lights on the tree in the middle of town.

LOOK at your eyes of the 80yr old who is listening to the Christmas story for the 80th time. 

LOOK into your heart and let it wonder as you imagine LOOKING at the star. 

LOOKing draws us into community. LOOKing draws us into further relationship with the BabyAbba.

Perhaps the phrase for crossing the street that we all learned (didn't we) and have taught our littles, could signal a new plan for Christmas. 

STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. 

31 days - When Our Kids buy Gifts

Taken at least three years ago,
OperationChristmasChild

I think helping a child to choose and purchase or make a gift for their sibling (and others) can be one of the greatest discipleship opportunities.

When money or resources need to be spent, there is the opportunity to talk about stewardship.

There is the conversation about keeping secrets that are fun and harmless and keeping secrets that are painful and sinful. (This conversation should happen more than once a year.)

There is talking about all the good things that God has given us.

There is talking about what others might not have and growing bold compassion (not fearful compassion). 

There is always the question of is this gift "something your brother would like or something yooou would like".

It is a great time to talk about the reason for the season, over and over again, and to talk about why or why not gifts are an appropriate way to celebrate.

Remember, kids generally don't do well with 'hurry hurry hurry' decisions or processes. Begin to ask them this week if they have some ideas about Christmas giving this year.

It is also hard for kids (and my MotherInLaw) to hold onto a gift once they have picked it out, so you may want to write down those ideas and buy them much closer to GiftGiving day.

31days of Christmas Preparation - Movies

We love watching movies. A lot. Along with our Christmas music collection, we have begun to collect Christmas movies. Additionally, Netflix has some crazy old and obsolete Christmas movies. 

Last year we found that we couldn't find a particular movie that we KNEW we had (White Christmas, I think). We spent time scrambling through the places it could/should be and then looking for it on Netflix or AmazonPrime. It was such an attention suck. 

This week I'm going to take time to gather all the Christmas movies and see if any are missing. I'm also going to go through my Netflix Instant Queue and do some purging and adding of titles that we might enjoy as a family during the holiday season.  

31 days - Calendaring Christmas Preparation

Now is a great time to look ahead to Thanksgiving (are you aware how early it is this year) through to the New Year and begin to plot things on the calendar.

• Family gatherings
• Work parties
• Church celebrations
• Band concerts
• Vacation Time
• Shopping days
• Crafting days
• Christmas Tree
• Other house decorations
• Get the car cleaned before the holidays
• Any Doctor appointments that need to be scheduled this time of year
• Hair appointments (Nail appointments - my favorite)
• Cooking days
• Shipping days
• Craft Fairs
• Date(s) with husband
• Taking kids shopping days (those really have to be separate from your own shopping days)
• Designated stay at home and BE STILL time
• Living Nativity
• Santa Parade

I use google calendar for all my calendaring. I'm going to create a category just for this planning with a bright red label - so that I see it, and so that I remember that each item is an invitation to rejoice - He is Coming!

What did I miss? What else needs to go on the calendar?

31 days - the journey of traditions

As a child, you do Christmas the way your parents do Christmas. You don't ask questions. You might or might not realize as you grow older that you can take the initiative in giving (and even using your own money). You more or less do what is done in your home of origin.

Once you begin adult life you begin to take ownership of how you celebrate Christmas. This might be dictated by school or work or where you find yourself doing these things.

At some point your adult life might merge with another adult. and especially if that includes a spouse who had parents who did Christmas differently, it gets tricky (like a minefield is tricky).

Then there is the season when you become the parent and you evaluate 'is this how we want to do it with our family?'

Each year we ask 'how will these decisions/traditions' genuinely mark the celebration of Christ's birth and the anticipation of His coming again in our nuclear family. We have been at this for 17 years, 13 years as parents. Some of the questions are pretty well ironed out. Some require new or more attention each year.

Traditions include everything from social events during the month, how Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are spent, the ways gifts are given (and opened), and food traditions. Some are clear mine-fields and some are totally surprising.

For us, we have clung to verses about "leaving and cleaving" and the blessing of our families that we are a new family unit as well as sought to "Honor our mothers and fathers".  (We also don't believe Honoring involves having our emotions or children manipulated. That is a whole other blog topic that I will write about in .... close to 15 years when I see how I am walking it out with my adult children.)

We have some traditions that we have ironed (IRONED) out with grace, and some with mess, but each year it has come down to 'can we both live with this decision' AND 'we believe we are stewarding our children's hearts' AND 'we feel like these choices will grow our family's relationship with Christ'. We also take a look at our choices each year, just as we do with homeschool. Is what we did last year what we are supposed to do this year?

Imperfect, but in progress for sure.

31 days - The Music Tradition

Last Sunday I wrote about our book tradition. Today I'm going to write about our Music tradition.

(I don't have this one. I
just liked the picture.)

I have an obscene number of Christmas albums. And I would listen to them all year, if I could. (I have also been known to not realize ONE song was on repeat for several hours - so, well, you know.) There are only a couple Christmas songs that I will turn skip - no, I'm not a fan of Grandma Getting Run Over, or anything the Chipmunks sing, or Carmen. This is a time of year when I can love many qualities and many styles. 

Just as we get a new Christmas book each year, we get a new cd. Some years it has been the one on the counter at the hardware store or Starbucks. (Yes, I like both places equally.) Other years it has been an intentional choice that reflected an experience or interest in our family. Last year, because Caleb has blossomed into such a wonderful trumpet player, our album was a Canadian Brass album.

Our compromise about Christmas music is that I can start listening the day after Thanksgiving. (Confession: once, in the summer, when Marc was gone, I listened to Christmas music, loud, and sang along. Thanks. I feel better.)

I have an artist in mind for this year, but it involves a surprise adventure that we are having in December. (sshhh)

What are your favorite Christmas albums? What are your least favorite albums? If you don't like Christmas music, add your name below and I can pray for you ;)

31 days of Christmas Preparation - My Husband

The hardest gift choice for me to make each year is for my husband. In my mind, it is so important that I most often end up freezing. And putting it off till the week before. And settling for something I want to apologize for. And it just feels icky.

One of the reasons that it is hard to get him stuff is because we spent many years making the kids gifts the financial priority. We would get stuff for them. And if there was money left-over then we would spend it on each other. So much like life if you're not careful.

Another reason it is hard for me to buy for him - he has weird (and expensive) taste. My husband is brilliant in ways that I am not. I am brilliant in ways that he is not. "he's got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps." 

My best Christmas present for him was the year I got the whole family to pitch in a buy him a beer making kit. I don't entirely get it, but he loves it. It makes him happy. And he's cute. 

The third reason it is hard to buy him a gift (or gifts) is that we are generous with each other year round, and we don't have a whole lot that we need. 

But I'm not satisfied with my excuses. I want to score the 'beer making Christmas' again. So my first attention (or agonizing) is going to start with what to get Marc. 

It's impossible to think about gifts in isolation. To say something like "I won't think about what I'm going to get anyone else until I get Marc's present" would be ridiculous. 

But I am starting now, and I am committing to not getting overwhelmed and stalling myself out. 

Who is the hardest person you shop or make gifts for? 

31 days meets FiveMinuteFriday: Race

As I began participating in the 31days blog challenge with thenester (and good friendsElisa and Spring), I had already told a group of women that I would commit to four FiveMinuteFridays - just to try the whole 'link up' thing. I decided that it would be a fun challenge (and maybe a disaster that I could laugh about) do this along with the 31 day blog challenge. 

The question is What kind of word will Lisa-Jo Baker come up with and how will it work for my topic.... I have no control over that. And the thought of making it work kind of gives me a thrill.

#fiveminutefriday meet 31days of Christmas preparation. The word this week:  

RACE

Not everyone likes to plan ahead. Not everyone is wired to plan ahead. Some people like the last minute rush. And they do it so well. 

I don't. When I rush, I look like I'm running a three legged race -- without a partner. At least on the inside. I manage how it all looks on the outside pretty well. 

The last minute holiday race does not bring the best out in me. That is why I am trying to be intentional with my planning. 

As I've begun to pull apart all the little parts of getting preparations, it's no wonder it feels like a race to get it all done when I wait to get started. 

This year, my hope is to change the race - to a pace - of rest and hope and peace.